The status symbols are getting replaced quietly.

Millennials are not exactly swearing off nice things, they are just demanding that nice things earn their keep. After years of price hikes, rent shocks, and subscription creep, the new flex is a jacket that lasts, a car that sips fuel, and furniture that survives a move. You can feel the shift in airports, grocery aisles, and group chats where someone asks, is it worth it. Even gifts are getting practical. Function is starting to beat flash, quietly but consistently.



